The Dubai Sports Council has officially kicked off the 2025 edition of its annual Summer Football Tournament for youth academies, running from 1 to 13 August. Now in its fifteenth year, the event is a key fixture in the city’s youth sporting calendar and a central part of Dubai’s long-term strategy to identify and develop local football talent.
Organised by the Dubai Sports Council, the tournament serves as a preparatory platform for youth and junior teams ahead of the 2025–2026 football season. It offers players an opportunity to gain match experience in a structured environment, while helping clubs assess physical and technical readiness.
The competition includes five age categories: Under-13, Under-14, Under-15, Under-16, and Under-17. Matches are spread across several major venues in Dubai, including Dubai Sports World, Al Wasl Club, Al Nasr Club, and Shabab Al Ahli Club.
Seven youth teams from across the UAE and the Gulf region are participating this year: Shabab Al Ahli, Al Wasl, Al Nasr, Hatta Club, Saudi Youth, Gunners Academy, and Al Furjan Academy. Each category follows a round-robin format, with all teams playing each other once. The team with the highest points at the end of the round is declared the champion of its age group.
Opening the tournament on 1 August were the Under-14 and Under-16 categories. Under-14 fixtures are being held at Al Wasl Club, with opening matches featuring Al Nasr vs Hatta and Al Wasl vs Shabab Al Ahli. Under-16 matches began at Shabab Al Ahli Club, where Al Nasr faced Gunners Academy and Al Wasl played against Shabab Al Ahli.
The Under-15 and Under-17 competitions begin on 2 August at Al Nasr and Shabab Al Ahli clubs respectively. Fixtures continue through 10 August, with matches scheduled during evening hours to accommodate summer conditions. The Under-13 age group will conclude the tournament with three days of competition at Dubai Sports World, from 11 to 13 August.
In a new initiative this year, the organisers have introduced post-match penalty shootouts after every game, regardless of the result. The move is intended to simulate high-pressure situations, improve goalkeeper performance, and develop players’ decision-making under stress.
A coordination meeting was held in advance with team managers to review tournament rules, logistics, and match protocols. The UAE Football Association has appointed officials to ensure matches are conducted to professional standards.
The summer tournament is a key part of the Dubai Sports Council’s broader mission to nurture grassroots sports. It also aims to foster professionalism, tactical discipline, and team spirit among young athletes, contributing to the development of a sustainable football ecosystem.
Through such initiatives, Dubai continues to position itself as a regional hub for youth sports development, combining international standards with local ambition.
